Got syncro?

[andisnewsyncro]

That's a top offer from McGill.

It's what owning a stupid, sorry "quirky" vehicle is all about - people looking after each other. Hope it works out for you Cooper

[RAMSHACKLE28]

Ha ha ha, this is quality entertainment smoke and mirrors.
Aah ian McGill, how the truth twists and warps over time!
Where do I start, perhaps in reverse order, the head gasket and bolts you say, no why would that need changed?? Maybe because when I picked up the syncro and got less than an hour away it popped it's guts all over the m80?? 1st reason to doubt the £8500 price tag and after owning the vehicle for approx 50 mins is that fair enough to the viewing crowd here, to ask them to rectify?? But they did come pick up and replace head and then fitted a thermostat drilled with six holes to ensure non reoccurrence I imagine.
The colour coded pop top you say, you oh so generously painted & fitted for free you say!! So the £300 quid for labour for painting pop top, that was for something else??
The 5 x bfg @ £120 a pop I paid for, the propex I bought separately and sent to you so you could fit the exhaust and intake a*** about, the 15"steel wheels, sorry bud but as far as I knew they were on it anyhoo and syncro's don't drive without wheels! Yes you powder coated them for £120, this is your shining hour, wish I had just bought some wheels off you!
Oh yeah and the leaks in the roof, front and back, if it were a boat it would have sunk.
No where are we, down to the crux of it all, the vc aah yes the viscous coupling, without it, alas the syncro is but a glorified t3. So when dear old Russel worked with you and I stood in front of him and he told me face to face, "yup, put a new vc in for you" I slept well that night! Of course this is why I went to VW syncro specialists, who wouldn't when the drivetrain tots up to £2.5k. Again, when I asked Ian, face to face, if I would get some sort of warranty?, no was the answer but if anything major goes wrong we will see you right!!
So you can imagine my surprise after discovering that the vc didn't work 1-2 months down the line, so when I brought it up, firstly I was told by Andy, "sounds like a serious case of driver error" who then proceeded to tell me how to test it by lifting the front wheels?? Huh?
And then Ians input of well it's a nineteen year old van and secondhand and what do you expect me to do about it? He did inform me Aidan(top bloke!) was getting some from Austria for £400 odd quid, so I asked very politely if they would go halfers on it, which seemed fair enough to me?? But no!
So yes I told him what I thought of him, yes I was not chuffed! Yes I felt like I got shafted by the glorious syncro nutz! Yes they did offer to touch up the paint that flaked off when I washed, it but jeez, I couldn't care less about that now.
So just gotta set the record straight since it's getting publicly broadcast, I tell ya I have held back putting all this out there, I don't like this sort of stuff, not my style,but enough is enough!

So really, this is for all of the now deceased syncro nutz! Syncro Nutz is Dead! Long live the VW!

Ian, feel free to come by tomo and check out what an honest straight syncro looks like, not a frickin chance yer getting to drive it! Look don't touch!

Also Jenny or Cooper which ever you want to be called, I have been straight up honest and sent you pics and info galore, McGill here is from syncro nutz just incase you hadn't cottoned on!?
Probably not your fault ma dear, you have done your homework, I can't fault you for that!! Just damn unfortunate top bloke McGill saviour of the day got involved...
I never sold it to the last guy remember, when he was going to put work there way!
Anyway yawn yawn, I'm even boring myself!
Anyhoo, come n get it or not but if your easily convinced by some, Tomy speak n spell mechanic who's syncro business has gone down the tunes and not somebody who owns it, looks after it, fixes it, drives it and has put hours in telling you about it and sending you stuff!???
Ach, go buy a t4, live the dream, get the t shirt and quit wasting my time. Why do you want one of these anyway?? Gimme a good answer and I might still sell it to you, or not?
Anyone else actually serious come see me, ha how to make a sale eh, berate a pillar of syncro world, hilarious!!!!

David.

[RAMSHACKLE28]

Oh yeah! This post just cost me over£5k, so just take a second to think about how serious I am!

[lloydy]

Strong words above my friend, can't see why you have chose this thread to voice them?

Oh yeah! This post just cost me over£5k, so just take a second to think about how serious I am!

Does the above quote now mean your selling for a grand?

[bhpdub]

Wow!

Entertaining stuff!...

I actually agree with Ramshakle28 Cooper....Go buy a T4 or a good T25 2wd camper, and live the dream!

Before you head full steam into Syncro ownership, ask yourself, do you really need one?

I've had 5 Syncro's over the years, and to be honest, they are pretty much bottomless money pits, and unless you are financially well prepared in the event of an emergency, they can be a proper pain in the backside...Even worse if you have not got anyone near you that knows about these quirky machines!

Owning a 2WD VW camper, can be great, great fun! ...Owning a Syncro, which due to a million issues, is like owning a time bomb waiting to go off...and they do go off, normally when least convienient to the owner!

You are in a very strong position Cooper, you have cash on the hip, and the summer season is just about to kick into full swing...There will be literally hundreds on dubs for sale over the coming months, ranging from busses that need fixing up, to absolute minters!...Your money, if spent wisely will buy you a cracker of VW camper, that pound for pound will give you many more smiles than a syncro will.

Having read your posts over the last couple of months, I know that you want a bus as an everyday vehichle, one that you can head off at weekends and have fun in etc, etc...I have owned alot of busses Cooper, If I told you how many, you would laugh and think I'm joking, I'm not, I've had more than enough to have started my own decent sized club!

This is honest, straightforward advice Cooper...A Syncro will not meet your needs and expectations, it will let you down, and leave your disappointed, with a rather large hole in your pocket to boot!

Buy a good 2WD Bus, there are plenty out there for your budget!...Go to shows, look, ask questions and look again!

Ditch the Syncro idea, cut your teeth on an honest, straightforward VW...and if you still crave a Syncro a few years down the line, look for one then!

Cheers
Andy

[Cooper]

David

I put my post up to get some feedback on the van as i dont know very much about syncros.
Sorry to put you through this. Mcgill was the only one to offer to go see it.

I still want to buy the vw syncro. Booked the flights and ready to be there saturday morning.

@bhpdub

Thanks for the advice but im going to buy a syncro.

[Cooper]

2wd doesnt interest me.
I dont want a new vehicle.

Thats why im looking at the t25s and have been asking about them.
I know that everyone has their own opinoins but i know what i would like. The one in scotland is the right one for me. I have book the flights and spoken to the owner and my dad is going up there saturday.
I didnt want to start any arguing on here. I just wanted some feedback.
So thanks bhpdub but im going for a syncro.

[bhpdub]

If your heart is set on a Syncro for some reason Cooper, then fair enough...Although I don't think you have actually said why you need a 4 wheel drive T25?

You hit the nail on the head, you don't want a new vehicle, which is cool, I love old dubs...But with that, you have to bear in mind excactly that...T25 Syncro's are old vehicles....By their very nature, old vehicles go wrong from time to time, both 2 and 4 wheel drive versions, they all go wrong, but with the Syncro, when they go wrong, they normally cost a fortune of either time or money (mostly both!) to put right!...Listen to what other genuine people are telling you Cooper. Its only being said because people are trying to give you good advice.

Having spoken to you, and having watched how long it has taken for you to get the funds together, selling off 2 cars, etc etc...You need to take on board, that the purchase of the T25 Syncro, is highly likely to be the start of a relationship that you should be prepared to understand is going to cost you a helll of a lot more than the initial purchase price....Especially if this is going to be your everyday, daily driver.

As I said before, I've had 5 Syncro's over the years...Would I buy another?...Probably, if it was the right van at the right price...But I'd only buy it with intention of moving on to someone else who is hell bent owning one of these 4wd money pits!

I really do hope that your experience of buying, owning and running a syncro T25 works out for you....But my head tells me, that its probably going to end in tears.

Good luck anyway!

[Cooper]

No doubt in time things will go wrong. Ive owned an old mini and vw.

I plan on never selling the syncro.
Im sure as a daily driver wont matter here or there.
The current owner drives it daily so i know that its not just stiiting in a barn or garage rusting and not working.

I am prepared to spend money on getting it to 4wd. And a few other bits. And genergal maintance.
From what it seems like alot of money spent here on vws are up grades. Like different engines accessories and such which i dont want to do.

I will let people know how good it goes.
Ill give it a good wash and polish and take some pics with it.
And i have to figure out a name for the vw.

[ninja.turtle007]

This is where we went on Saturday. We cooked our dinner over a fire. We wouldn't have been able to get there in a 2WD.





Syncro's are a constant drain on your finances but then so have the 2WD T25's I've had. You'll love it if you keep on top of the maintenance.

[hotpod]

cooper,
some syncros are bottomless money pits indeed, and mine are both currently off the road because the gearboxes both went within a month of each other. the pickup had been driving for 2 years with 4th gear held in with a bungee and has over quarter of a million kilometers on the clock so i was half expecting it. the camper with just turned 100, 000 miles was a surprise but they are both 20 years old.)
apart from this recent (and quite expensive problem) they have both been our daily drivers, the pickup for 8 years now and the camper for 2 and a half, and they have been brilliantly reliable vehicles. on the rare occasion that they dont start on the first turn it is quite honestly a surprise and more often or not something very simple. i keep on top of general maintenance and ( apart from the 4th gear issue but that was a budgetary response) attend to any noises which weren't there last week and i cant think of any vehicles which i would prefer or which would ultimately be cheaper to run but have the same benefits. ( i am currently using my sons mk2 polo and i cant camp in it, put my long board in it, drive across a wet field in it - hell, i even pulled int a field entrance to let a tractor past and got stuck- i couldn't drive to Switzerland with 4 adults and all our gear and expect to get to the top of the mountain in the snow. the list is endless)
i love my syncros.
i miss them enormously at the moment.
i do get days of doubt where i see all their faults and think i should just move on and get something younger and more sensible, but a. i cant afford anything even remotely comparable and b. they have been good reliable friends for years and c. there is really nothing on them that cant be fixed.
if your life needs total predictability then its probably a good idea to get something brand new .
but if you can cope with a few surprises every now and then and be prepared to go through some pain with them occasionally then you may find as i have, that you have a car for life ( or a good long time at least ) and a very capable one at that.

everyone on here has a different syncro experience. some syncros are indeed lost causes.
most are either good or redeemable with some investment
and some are as good as new (almost, if you can bear in mind their age).
i always tell people ( as others on here have told you on here) to be patient and just be ready to jump on the right one when it turns up.
but i have always liked to learn from experience myself and dont always listen to sound advice.
it has sometimes been hard but i learn better that way as might you.
and this van might be your perfect van.

there is no right or wrong in this, just actions and consequences ( and of course many different opinions)
so do what you must and smile and enjoy the ride.

i look forward to seeing your syncro.
whenever.

[syncropaddy]

...Owning a Syncro, which due to a million issues, is like owning a time bomb waiting to go off...and they do go off, normally when least convienient to the owner!

This is a total and complete load of 80llox, total utter crap!

My Multivan has had a small fortune spent on it over the last 4 years .... BUT .... none of it was spent on anything that was Syncro specific that broke. Aidan did the transaxle and front diff because I wanted it done and in his own words "it didnt need it". The engine is untouched. Front driveshafts are untouched. The propshaft is untouched. I spent more on maintenance on my first 2WD T3 than I have on my Syncro. There is very little on a Syncro that is Syncro specific when you actually sit down and think about it. Its like buying any car, if its a piece of 5h1t its going to give you problems so simply dont buy a piece of 5h1t.

If your Syncro cost you a small fortune to maintain because of all the Syncro bits that break then you bought a piece of 5h1t ....

[bhpdub]

...Owning a Syncro, which due to a million issues, is like owning a time bomb waiting to go off...and they do go off, normally when least convienient to the owner!

This is a total and complete load of 80llox, total utter crap!

My Multivan has had a small fortune spent on it over the last 4 years .... BUT .... none of it was spent on anything that was Syncro specific that broke. Aidan did the transaxle and front diff because I wanted it done and in his own words "it didnt need it". The engine is untouched. Front driveshafts are untouched. The propshaft is untouched. I spent more on maintenance on my first 2WD T3 than I have on my Syncro. There is very little on a Syncro that is Syncro specific when you actually sit down and think about it. Its like buying any car, if its a piece of 5h1t its going to give you problems so simply dont buy a piece of 5h1t.

If your Syncro cost you a small fortune to maintain because of all the Syncro bits that break then you bought a piece of 5h1t ....

Looks like we will have to agree to disagree on that one Paddy.

For sure there are plenty of cross over bits on the T25 2wd and the 4wd versions...But the major bits that are not inter-changeable...Like Gearboxes and diffs for example, which do as most will tell you (if you push them on the subject) screw up, fair enough, some of this is down to the age of the vans, but its also to a certain extent down to the fragility of the items, like the VC for instance.

Then there are plenty of other things which take more time to rectify on a syncro compared to the 2wd T25's...Like removing a fuel tank for instance! ...What joyous fun that is!

I was merely trying to give Cooper some advise, based on my ownership of T25's...Both in Syncro guise (I've owned 5 in total) and standard T25 2wd (if I told you how many of those I've owned, you wouldn't believe me anyway! )

It looks as though Cooper is going down the Syncro route, so fair play to her for sticking to her guns, and she is prepared for some inevitable future heartaches and she knows all of the pitfalls in terms of potential costs, so thats that.

Hopefully, Cooper will have a trouble free ownership experience, and if she needs some help in the future, people within this discussion group will be there to help her out.

Cheers
Andy

[mcgill5]

well i did go out to meet dave to look over syncro,when i was in the right area of the country i looked for the paper with the details and mobile number as i had to meet up in a barn in a field miles from anywhere where dave and syncro were working.... left it 200 miles away! so i drove round many miles of single tracks and fields for an hour or two,left messages as i had the landline number but no reply. i remembered from a photo what the garden it was in looked like and sort of remembered name of village,so i drove around for ages in an area with at least 5 of the names were part names of many villages between 3 and 10 miles apart. eventualy saw syncro up the side of a house and got out. as i was walking towards dave i said hello and held out my hand, he just looked at me in disbelief and couldnt believe i had turned up! he then said,obviously you havent read the post before i made the effort to come all that way! i asked and was told... i said that forums are full of experts and worldly advice and evryone knows better. i said whatever it is it doesnt bother me cos everything you write when read back seems to sound or can be taken differently and others interpret it the way they like to see it and not always as it was meant to be taken. i said i would still have came if i had read it and i am not one to back down from anyone,i always make an effort to do what i say i will do but often take on too much cos i dont say no to anyoneone needing help. there had been a lot of incidents over the sale of this syncro and a lot of it i honestly didnt know anything about. i said to dave that if he thought i was ripping the p**ss out of him and that i would be that ignorant and go on here deliberately make myself or him look like idiots for everyone elses entertainment then feel free to punch me in the face right now?
so we then got lamps etc out and had a good look and inspection around the van, then took it for a drive around the area, so van is what it is,pulls realy well,heaters realy good and the home made interior is realy well made and very practical. so the van is being collected on saturday and i have offered dave a few options from myself to try to put right some of the issues he has had(not all down to me/us).
i called jennie when i got back into car and spoke to her in depth about the van/reasons to have a syncro/ what to expect and not to expect ever ever getting all that you pay into a syncro back at the end of it after it has tortured your life/bank balance. HAPPY CAMPING TO ALL! cheers mcgill

[rollercoaster]

Well I'm impressed!
It is often a thankless job being a mechanic,
motor cars dont grow or heal themselves, just use up fuel, break and rust.
Money is also a stumbling block to fall over.
Words, as you say can also be interpreted differently.
So that is a big deal to work it all out if you can,
and whatever else, I admire your good intention.
Wish you all well!